[read at the Memorial Service on January 17, 2009]

As the oldest grandchild, I was fortunate enough to have 34 years surrounded by this loving man we all know as Poppy. And there are some constants that I know to be true about the kind of man he was. Not only was he always a gentleman, he was truly a gentle man. Anyone who ever met him knew his smile and it was contagious. He was a family man, a fisherman, a man of strong faith and proud patriotism.

Poppy always had a way of making you feel like he was right there in the same room with you even if you were 5 states away talking to him over the phone. He'd say "Hey, you're lookin' good" and it would put an instant smile on your face knowing he was right there with you in spirit...his calming wisdom talking you through whatever issue was at hand.

One such instance happened not too long ago as I arrived down south for a dinner visit. The whole trip down, I had been smelling something burning and when I got out of the car, my tires were smoking. As I walked in the house and told Poppy of the "odd" scenario going on in his driveway, he calmly said, go check your emergency brake. Sure enough, it had been on for the entire 10 mile interstate drive! Genious, he was ;)

Well, I think we all know Poppy is with us today and will be right by our side for every tomorrow. Now there is no question he'll be there with us at Caree's wedding in the fall and with Grandmommy as she travels the country to visit all of the great grandbabies. He'll be right by her side.

I know he's smiling about this beautiful day and all of his family and friends here together for a celebration of his 85 years with us. I like to think that this afternoon, he is sitting on his boat, the Foxy Lady III, catching some fish for dinner. He's got Samantha and Penny by his side and he's taking a DEEP breath and SOAKING in all the beauty the eye can behold that now surrounds him. And he's rendezvousing later on with some old friends (Len, Dan, Uncle Rolf, Aunt Shirley) for a round of 5 card stud.

And come 5:00, he'll be ready to have a toast with all of us to thank God for bringing us all together in this life and soon enough again in the next.